30 Years of Giving: Health Services Foundation begins new campaign

    HOULTON — For everyone associated with the Health Services Foundation, the beginning of its new fiscal year Oct. 1 will kickoff a new campaign in support of current Houlton Regional Hospital equipment needs.
    However, this is a special year for the Foundation as it also begins a celebration of the 30th anniversary for the organization, which officially begins January, 2013. Given the Foundation’s fiscal year of October to September the fund-raising year has already begun, and plans are under way to make this year one of remembering all the Foundation’s accomplishments and a look forward to its future of continuing a remarkable legacy of “Giving Back.”
    “Every day we remember just how remarkable our donors are in all the communities we serve as the constant generosity that is extended to support the Foundation and the health care needs of our communities is truly amazing,” said Elizabeth Dulin, Foundation executive director. “Without this kind of giving the Foundation would never have been able to reach the heights we have of giving back so much to our health care providers. Thirty years of unprecedented giving has made an enormous difference in the world of health care in this area. To say we are truly grateful is truly an understatement, as mere words cannot convey the depth of what our donors have done throughout the years. We salute each and every one of them with our deepest appreciation.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
STRATEGIZING — The Health Services Foundation is gearing up for another year of raising funds for medical needs in the community. Taking part in the discussion are, seated from left, Jessie Drysdale, HSF vice president, and Elizabeth Dulin, executive director; and back, Tom Moakler, CEO of Houlton Regional Hospital, and Walter Goodrich, HSF president.
    The Foundation has been fundraising for local non-profit health care providers since 1983 in support of equipment, education, and capital needs, to the best of our financial ability.
    “To date disbursements for providers have topped $2,087,750 and efforts over the years have been truly rewarding knowing the positive impacts we have had on our communities,” Dulin said. “We hope you will follow us as we bring to you, throughout the year, our journey of 30 years — always remembering the generosity of our communities have made giving back. This is a remarkable journey indeed.”
The beginning
    The Foundation was created in 1983, as a direct result of pending hospital regulations, which threatened to divert charitable gifts, without regard to the donor’s intent. The entire history and tradition of Houlton’s health system, based on philanthropy/volunteerism, would have been challenged, and as this issue was being debated far and wide leaders in Houlton worked feverishly to protect their autonomy.
    A voluntary board of trustees whose directives are executed by an executive director and administrative personnel governs the Foundation. Officers and members are prominent leaders of the greater Houlton area; leaders who have a deep and abiding concern about the health and wellness of the community.
    The original goal of the Foundation was to build a self-perpetuating endowment fund. Over the years, conservative investment of the funds has added to growing public support, resulting in a fund, which reached the $2 million mark. Earnings from the fund have been put into the Houlton health care delivery systems and the additional areas from Danforth to Patten, it supports. Grant funding to area health care providers has been essential for the quality and progress of Houlton Regional Hospital, clinics, ambulance services, fire departments and schools in the area of health care equipment, capital expansions, programs and education.
First fundraisers
    The Society of ’72 was created out of respect for those who made Houlton Regional Hospital possible. This was a tireless effort to the difficult merger between the Madigan Memorial Hospital and Aroostook General Hospital in 1972.
    “The program was instituted to honor the dedication and commitment of our forefathers to quality health care for the people of the area,” said Dulin. “They felt we should be able to enjoy the same kind of quality services available to people residing in more urban areas. This generosity of members, both private and corporate, built the Society of ‘72 to over 50 members, many of whom have contributed sums in excess of $10,000 to achieve lifetime status.”
    In 1983, Houlton’s Rotary Club began the Boy and the Boot Endowment Fund, which the Foundation administers. Five hundred numbered miniature pewter statues were cast, and then the mold was broken.  Each statue represents a $1,000 pledge to the self-perpetuating fund, which benefits the region’s health care program, equipment and education needs. Over the years the Boy and the Boot has raised over $400,000, an amazing amount of funding, which directly supports equipment and projects for Houlton Regional.
    “We look forward, once again, to helping our area health care providers, and will be conducting a current campaign for several specific important needs that have been presented to us by Houlton Regional,” Dulin said. “Follow us through this up coming fund-raising year as we continue the story of our journey, what we have done and what we will be doing this year to help our hospital and other health care providers. It is our hope everyone will become involved, to the best of their ability, and help us celebrate how far we have come and continue the legacy with a successful outcome to this years fundraising goal. We cannot do it without you, and we do it for you,”
    The Foundation’s mission of “Supporting Excellence in Health Care” is a passion that never wavers even when economic times can make things more difficult to achieve.
    “Health care is of paramount importance in everyone’s lives and without Foundations such as ours providers would find it far more difficult to attain some of the equipment, or offer programs genuinely needed for their communities,” Dulin said.
    For more information about Foundation projects/programs call 207-521-2147 or visit the website at www.healthservicesfoundation.org.
    Editor’s note: The Health Services Foundation will run periodic articles highlighting its 30th anniversary throughout the next year.